Behind the Headlines with Jason Gale
Jason Gale, owner of JJG Media Group and World Lifestyle Awards, on childhood dreams of being a footballer, how Lord Bell got him into PR and why it’s time for a PR makeover for Justin Bieber…
My ideal day is…
A bit of work and a bit of play and that grey area in between. It would include an exciting game changing meeting over breakfast, sitting with a like-minded person discussing ideas which are fun and creative if I manage to get a lunch break in, heading back into the office to tell the team about the visions, and then watch the creative minds at JJG Media grow them into something aspirational but achievable.
I then would visit one of the restaurants in Soho or Mayfair which may have been nominated for a London Lifestyle Award (a JJG Media brand) and probably have a glass of wine too many. I would then decide to leave work early, go home, change, pick up my girlfriend and take her to the theatre, as in London we have so many shows to choose from and in my opinion, the best theatres in the world. I’d probably then finish with a glass of something great at one of our exceptional hotel bars. A perfect day.
Five words that describe me…
Ambitious, creative, passionate, impatient, tall.
My colleagues would say I’m…
Impatient and creative.
I always thought I’d be…
Up until I was 14 I thought I would be a footballer, then I played against a group of professionals and decided to go into something a little more creative.
I’m at my best when…
I have had plenty of sleep.
I’m a closet reader of…
The Economist.
You don’t want to be around me when…
You have not done what you said you were going to do.
My most prized possessions are…
Family pictures.
The worst meeting I’ve had…
Was with a man who wanted to take my awards to his country. He spoke no English and I spoke no Mandarin. Neither of us brought a translator.
My favourite PR moment was…
October 6 2010, the first London Lifestyle Awards. I launched the brand with very little budget, we gained 100,000 votes, 600 people attended and it trended on Twitter, all through the power of PR and social media.
If it wasn’t for…
Lord Bell, I wouldn’t be in PR. I pitched a concept in front of him 12 years ago. He inspired me and I thought “I can do that”.
If I could work with anyone it would be…
David Beckham. As an avid football fan this would be great fun for me and he has an amazing brand that I would love to tweak here and there. Met him a couple of times and he seems a great guy and fun to work with.
My relationship with journalists is…
Friendly, as I also do celebrity PR I have had one or two arguments when inaccuracies have been written but mostly its all been lovely as we are here to help them and vice versa.
I’d love to get my PR mitts on…
Justin Bieber. Time for a little change my friend.
